Chef's Notes Plus

Beverages for Cheese

Many of us have an innate belief that wine and cheese were made for each other. Not to disavow you of that belief, but dry wines can often clash with rich cheeses, and red wine is more often the culprit than white! Here, though, are a few simple ground rules […]
Chef's Blog

Beyond Chèvre: All About Goat Cheese

Cheese is a huge topic, and a deep dive into the subject can yield overwhelming results. It is probably for this reason that despite eating and cooking with cheese nearly every day, many people know very little about where their cheese comes from, how it is made, and the incredible […]
Main Dishes

Black Bean and Quinoa-Stuffed Zucchini

Makes 4 servings Quinoa is a great base for a stuffing, which you can use in zucchini, like we do here, or other veggies like portobello mushrooms, acorn squash, or bell peppers. Substitute any bean for black beans, or even shredded cooked chicken. plant-forward // plant forward // vegetarian // […]
Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Blue Cheese 101

Blue or blue-veined cheeses are thought to have been among some of the first cheeses produced. Although there is no specific research to prove the theory, it is believed that the mold was first introduced to cheese from moldy bread that had come in contact with the cheese. In the […]
Salads, Side Dishes

Brussels Sprout Salad with Dried Cranberries

Makes 8 to 10 servings This simple salad is full of quintessential fall flavors and is a fresh and bright addition to your Thanksgiving spread. Prepare the dressing and Brussels sprouts a day ahead, if you like, but wait to toss the salad until an hour or so before serving.
Main Dishes

Bucatini alla Gricia

Serves 4 to 6 Guanciale is the cheek of the pig, cured with salt and spices and air-dried. If can be hard to find. You can replace it with a good-quality pancetta, which is from the belly of the pig and cured in the same way as guanciale.
Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Building a Cheese Plate

Building a great cheese plate requires a basic familiarity with the profiles of the cheeses offered and their capacity to be other food and drink. Of course, you can’t know every cheese—but that’s what cheesemongers are for. They wait behind their counter to find exactly the cheeses you need, based […]